What's life expec having renal cell carcinoma stage 3-1 yr after having kidney removed & shoulder replaced?

My 54yo dad has renal cell carcinoma. He's had his kidney removed (cancerous mass over 50% in 5/06 at stage 3) and his right shoulder replaced in 11/06 (from where cancer spread & broke bone) still has very minimal use of arm. Now the cancer has spread in his lung, around his liver & spleen and either effecting his pancreas or gall bladder. What quality of life will he have (he manages a goodyear store) and what is the typical life expectancy (only good know-but there is an average out there). Please only serious answers or similar experiences. Any referral sites out there would be appreciated.
Thanks!

First I want to express how truly sorry I am to hear about your dad. I am even more sorry that I don't have better news sto share with you, so I am going to preface it with an emphasis that you enjoy your time with your dad and understand that it does not happen over night. You will see a decline in his health so you will be able to prepare a little as the time comes.

You might want to check out these associations:
www.kidneycancerassociation.org
www.kidneycancer.org

Many hospitals also have support groups for cancer patients and their families. I encourage you to get involved with one just so you can know more of what to expect and how to cope as things progress.

OK, he is really in stage 4 now because it has spread to distant organs. The 5 year survival rate for sttage 4 renal cell carcinoma is about 14%. Those aren't good odds, but at the same time, someone has to be in that 14% in order for it to exist.

Traditional chemo & radiation don't work on rcc because the kidney's job is to filter out toxins - which is what those treatments are: toxic. There is immuno-therapy such as interferon and interleukin-2, but they are usually used when the metastasis isn't so far spread. Clinical trials are another option he could discuss with his doctor. Unfortunately, there really are no cut and dry treatments for rcc.

My mom was diagnosed with stage 4 renal cell carcinoma in January 1997 and fought it until July 1999 when she was 53, so you see she was a typical case. Her kidney was the size of a football when it wass removed and she had a spot the size of a quarter on her lungs.

What to expect:
As it progresses, their body becomes weaker and they can feel the tumors growing in their body. My mom would have pillows all around her to counteract the pressure from the tumors. It's sno uncommon for calcium levels to increase, which shows itself in confusion and becoming unsteady or losing balance. It's important to watch for this. It's easily managed through a process similar to donaitng blood, although it's not being donated. Watch for this.

With my mom, her head was too heavy in the last 6 months, so she shaved her head and would frequently put it down on the table or wherever she was to rest. She became unsteady in the last couple months. In the last couple weeks, she became dehydrated and constipated, which were uncomfortable. She knew the time was coming and she called my brothers and me home two days before she passed away.

I'm not trying to paint a grim picture, but rather help you realistically know what path you have ahead. It's a gradual decline usually over 6 months, once they become more weakened or in pain. There are some things that can be done to help with comfort, but it is usually not entirely taken care of.

I don't know if you are a teen or young adult, but it is important either way to have support from others and that your fmily knows what is coming. He should have a durable power of attorney and a will and he should talk to his doctor about hospice care. Does he want to die at home or in the hospital? This is a hard question, for you, I'm sure, but it's an important one.

I'm sure he is trying to keep his life as ordinary and normal as he can. If there are things you want to say and do with him, now is the time. Don't wait until he isn't up to it.

I am so sorry that you are going through this. I wish no one had to go through it.

For the most accurate prognosis, you need to talk to his oncologist.
Kidney cancer that has metastisized to all of the places you mentioned carries a poor prognosis I am sure.
At some point soon you might have to help make the decision to take dad home and make him comfortable in his home setting for the rest of his life, rather than try this new chemo and that new radiation, and have him die in the hospital. I'm sorry for your situation.

he had sec metastasis which shows ....
might b an yr or 2 thts it ...after it advent to panc gall n other areas ...